How long have you been playing paintball and how did you get started?

Ive been playing for seven years.  I started by buying a spyder and going to a local field by myself and playing “speedball”…after running around a bit getting the crap shot out of me i was hooked.  I played in a tournament a couple weeks later.

Who did you play with in that first tournament? Did you guys do well?

I played for surgical strike at a novice tourney in Wisconsin and we did well.  Pretty sure we got second in that tourney.  The spyder that I was using was an advantage because it was raining very hard and it was one of the few guns that was working fine.

What was paintball like back when you started, and how has it changed for you over the years?

One thing that has really changed is that the snake players seem to be getting younger and shorter…im not a fan of snake midgets.  when i started the guns were all pretty fast sort of wild west with the old timmies etc. and now everything is capped which is sort of boring.

How about in the NPPL?, that is uncapped semi.

No not the same.  I’m talking about the bouncing, ramping, machine guns that we used to be able to play with…

Why do you play paintball?

I play paintball because i like to shoot stuff.  and the only way i can shoot people that is socially acceptable is with .68 caliber balls filled with paint.

What is your home field, and what does it have to offer?

My home field is Air Assault Paintball in Maple Plain, MN.  The field offers the best indoor playing experience in the Midwest and I think the greatest overall paintball field in Minnesota.

How often do you play there?

As much as I can, which ends up being about once a month now a days.  But will increase in the winter again.

What tournament series & division do you currently play in?

I currently play local tournaments and try to get to a national event every year but its pretty tough with the amount that i work…I think that I am currently division 4?

What was the last national event you’ve competed in, and how did you do?

(no comment)

What teams have you played for in the past? And who do you play for now?

The main teams Ive played for were Kick in the Junk, Ignition and Air Assault Factory.  I currently play for Air Assault Factory.  But Ive also played for about 20 different teams at random local events all over Wisconsin.  I wouldnt even be able to name 50% of them.

Why do you think teams fall apart?

wives, children, jobs, money, age, etc…a whole bunch of excuses that people use.  Oh also bad team management.

What made you decide to join Air Assault Factory? What is it you like about the team?

I’m not sure how it happened, but I think it was when some of us old ignition guys were playing together…either we asked Gary or he asked us.  I’m really foggy on the details, but I’m pretty sure we all kinda just agreed that it would be good.  The reason I like the team is we are all a bunch of friends that have been playing together for a long time.  Even though our numbers are slowly dropping off.

How often do you practice and how far do you have to travel to practice?

Now I practice about once a month…a couple years ago I was playing every weekend and sometimes during the week at our local field.  It is about a 2 hour drive to practice.

What was your greatest achievement so far in your paintball career? What events have you won?

My greatest achievement in paintball was probably being part of the air assault factory team that went undefeated in Tampa in 07.  As far as national events Ive only won 2 NPPLs.  But local events Ive won maybe 3 or 4 in Minnesota, 1 in Illinois and probably 10 events in Wisconsin with random teams.

What was the best prize package you’ve ever won?

I think the NPPLs were probably the most money I have no idea how much it was.  The most interesting was some scooters we won back in the NLPLs.  Ive also won guns but I cant remember what kind they were because they were sold right away.

What gun do you use, and why do you like it?

I use an ego…not sure what year but I like it because it is the most reliable accurate gun you can buy.

What suggestions do you have for new players?

Buy a cheap used gun and spend your money on paint.  Also play against people that are better than you as much as possible.

Describe your style of play on the field.

Methodical.  I do not slide unless absolutely necessary.  I like to play dead spots and will spend time in weird spots in the field.  I think that field walking and knowing your drop shots is critical.

Do you know the first player to use the term “Methodical” in reference to paintball?

No.  But I would guess it was probably the guy that snuck around and gathered all the flags and won the first game of “paintball” without firing a shot.

Are there any people who have been influential on your playing style? Who are they and how have they impacted your game?

All the guys that I used to play dorritos against back in the day with ignition.

Why specifically them? What was it that they did that makes them stand out as opposed to all of the other guys on the field?

Because when you are playing across the field from someone its pretty even (same bunkers) and comes down to gun fighting or moving usually.  I used to just have to play to a position where I could just run through and bunker them because I would lose in gun fights too often.  It taught me to be aware of what was going on all around me and pick the perfect opportunity to stick them.

What do you think your greatest strength in paintball is? What do you need improvement on?

Greatest strength is probably my field vision or field awareness.  I need to improve my gun fighting skills…I don’t like gun fights I will do anything to stay out of them.

Do you have 20/20 vision or something?

No, I mean just kinda paying attention to the sights and sounds on the field.  Sound is very important to me when I am playing.  Like the sound of the paint going by my head and the rattle of the guns.  It helps you pinpoint zones on the field and allows you to move to the next bunker without getting shot or sliding sometimes

So what you’re saying is you’re like a ninja?

Sort of like a camo whiskey ninja if any kind of ninja.

What position do you currently play on the field? Why do you think your team has placed you in that role?

Dorritos.  My team has put me there because I would constantly bitch and complain if I ever had to get into a snake…Ive spent my whole paintball life playing dorritos and Im not going to change.

Would you consider that a weakness?

No.

What do you think needs to happen in Minnesota to develop divisional teams that will be able to compete nationally?

Teams need to play local events and sack up.  There also needs to be more organized team practices.  There needs to be more good competition in local events and we could field some good teams.

How do you feel about the guys who will play two games and then talk about it for an hour before getting back on the field again?

Those guys are destined to be playing walk on paintball for the rest of their paintball career.  When I first started out I would play every game I could…I would drive up to FSL on Wednesday nights to get a few games in then to northside on sunday thats 8 hours of driving a week to play.  We bought an old tube airball field so we could play down in wisconsin during the week after work.  I believe in talking about paintball when you are out of paint and out of people to shoot.

Outside of paintball, what do you do for a living?

I am a State Farm agent in Wisconsin.  I work for the best insurance company in the business and have a great team working for me.  My website is: samgearing.com and if anyone would like a quote on their auto/home/life/health insurance they should give me a call!

Finally what MN Paintball player (Past or Present) would you like to see featured next?

Satan from old FSL

Unfortunately I do not think he will be able to be reached for contact.